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Post by fallingn2ct on Feb 27, 2013 13:19:38 GMT -5
Neil waved at the fans that had arrived early at the venue and ducked quickly into the darkened hall ways. He wanted to find somewhere quiet. He had been faced with too many questions by his bandmates. He appreciated their concern and gave the same answers to everyone ,"I'm fine, it was a great summer." Not many of them knew of the woman he had met and spent months with. Nor the hole that had been left inside of him. Being on stage filled the void for a few hours, but it returned not long after the lights had dimmed and he climbed on the bus. He thought about the first time he told Caroline what he did for a living.
"As promised", Neil produced a dvd as Caroline placed the box of pizza on he coffee table.
"You were serious about that?", she took the dvd and looked at the photos of them men on the back,"You guys get all the girls don't you?", she grinned.
"Tons, it's exahausting really", he laughed,"To be the object of affection."
"What did I start?" ,she rolled her eyes playfully as she put the dvd in and grabbed the remote,"Do you watch yourself a lot?", she teased folding her legs under her as she sat.
"You're figuring out all my secrets!", he handed her a plate with a slice of pizza.
"I'm just good like that", she laughed as he sat next to her.
"Well, since you share what you love to do, I thought I would do the same", he draped an arm across her legs.
"And I appreciate that", she settled back as the show started.
Neil would sneak looks at her face to see the reaction to the group he had been a part of for the last five years. He had only started coming to the front over the last few years. He had also put out an album of his own music which had been well received with fans. As the dvd finished, he grabbed the remote and pressed stop,"So there you have it."
"Very impressive. Mr. Byrne," she stretched,"It was really good."
"We've been rehearsing a new show, which we'll be touring in the fall. You'll have to catch one of them."
"I will!", she smiled avoiding the topic that neither one wanted to talk about.
"So, Aislin is out with Ryan for the evening?", he toyed with a lock of her hair.
She nodded,"They may be gone the whole night, who knows."
"Hmmmm, what to do", he wriggled his eye brows playfully.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Feb 27, 2013 14:06:15 GMT -5
Poor Neil, this is so bittersweet and perfect.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Feb 27, 2013 15:25:05 GMT -5
Caroline opened the door to her family's wine shop. Salinger's Fine Wines had been in business since the early nineteen hundreds. She loved the smell of the old wood and of the different wines. Wine making may not be what her passion was, but she appreciated the artistry of it and she would occassionally design a label for a special or seasonal wine.
"Hey, Caro", her mother Aurora greeted her with a hug.
"Hey mom", she kissed her cheek.
"What brings you in here? Thought you'd be busy with your work."
"Grading art projects for kids isn't too difficult," she laughed,"Just thought I would come by and see who was working. Been a while since I came to the shop."
"How is it, being back and working at your old elementary school?"
"It's not bad", she said examining a bottle,"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course", she smiled,"Come sit and have a glass", she took the bottle from her hand and went behind the counter,"I haven't wanted to say anything, but you have been different since you came back from Dublin."
"How do you mean?", she accepted the glass and took a sip.
"You've been guarded and you barely talk about anything other than your classes, the weather, and your room mate."
"Nothing much more to say", she shrugged studying the stem of the wine glass.
Aurora smiled and took her daughter's hand,"A woman has many secrets, darling. Even those summer romances that we think will last a life time."
She laughed with a shake of her head,"I think we give our hearts too easily and then we have to take them back and repair them. It's not always easy."
"Do you want to tell me about him?", she poured herself a glass.
"Not now mom, but maybe some other time."
"Okay", she nodded, patting her hand.
"Thanks for the glass," she finished it off and pulled her purse onto her shoulder. She knew she had given her heart away in Dublin, she and Neil both had. And it had happened only weeks before they parted.
There were barely two weeks in August left, the weather was almost predictable with angry storms in the afternoon as the sun began to go down, the mornings would dawn bright and clear as if there had never been a storm. It was getting later in the day as Neil and Caroline strolled down Grafton street, angry black clouds were rolling in and thunder clapped over head.
"We'd better go inside somewhere", she said as a bolt of silver lightning sliced the air.
"Preferably somewhere with food", he replied as the first droplets began to let loose,"Come on," he tugged her hand as the deluge ensued. He led them to a store front covered by an awning. He looked at her flushed face and sopping wet clothes.
"What?", she said attempting to wipe the rain from her eyes.
"You just," he laughed,"You sort of look beautiful at the moment."
She took in her appearence and let out a chuckle,"You must have gone blind, Neil Byrne."
"No", he shook his head,"You look beautiful, Caroline Salinger, very beautiful."
"Well, thank you then", she moved closer to him and felt his arms come around her. Even with the wind and cold rain that swirled around them, she could feel his warmth and before she could stop the words,"I love you", escaped her lips.
Neil looked at her and smiled,"What was that?"
"Nothing", she said quickly, trying to move away.
"No, you don't", he grabbed her around the waist,"Say it again", he placed a finger under her chin.
"I love you", she said quietly as she gazed into the sweet brown eyes.
"I love you", he whispered before taking her lips.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Feb 27, 2013 16:15:11 GMT -5
I feel so bad for both of them but I love the summer romance!
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Post by celticbear on Feb 27, 2013 19:09:01 GMT -5
The summer romance is great! But I want them together for ever!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Feb 28, 2013 12:55:08 GMT -5
"You're up for meet and greet tonight", Keith said giving Neil a clap on the shoulder.
"No one else wants to take it?", he said pulling his suit from the hanger.
"Nope", he said,"It's you and Colm tonight, plus you have been avoiding them anyway."
"Maybe there's a reason", he mumbled as he disappeared with the suit over his arm.
"Moody", Keith said as he left the room.
Neil knew he had been avoiding ny excessive socializing and he knew he owed the success of the group to the fans who came to see him. Just the thought of pasting a smile on his face for an hour took more energy than he wanted. He felt as if all he had done all summer was smile, but they weren't forced or painful. They were easy and fun and she was the cause for them.
"Thank you for bringing me here", she said slipping her arm through his.
"You're welcome", he kissed her temple,"Thought you would enjoy a day by the beach instead of the horrible smell of the Liffey."
"It's so bad!", she laughed.
"I know! But your face the first time you smelled it was hysterical!"
"Must have been, with the way you were laughing.", she pushed him playfully.
"It was a good laugh", he grinned,"But, there is something we need to talk about."
"I know", she nodded walking a bit in front of him.
"Caroline", he said taking her hand,"We've got a week left and we have barely talked about what we're doing."
"Why do we have to talk about?", she said avoiding his eyes.
"Because you're leaving in a week and I for one would like to know what's supposed to happen."
"Neil", she said softly,"I love you and I know you love me, but I think it's time we both face the truth."
"And what would that be?", he crossed his arms.
"That", she sighed as she tried to muster as much courage as possible,"That this summer with you and me has been one of the best times of my life. A time I never, in a million years expected to happen. But, we live in different countries, not just a city away or even a state, but an entire ocean."
"So that automatically means we stop? That this whole thing just ends because of distance? I don't buy it Caroline, I don't"
"Neil, please", she shook her head,"It's our last week together and I don't want to fight. I just think we should accept the inevitable. It won't work, different countries, you out on the road, my teaching career. It's better for both of us."
A small part of him knew that she was right, but the thought of being without her felt like a knife to the heart,"Okay", he agreed quietly,"Okay."
"I'm sorry", she said wrapping her arms around his neck.
He inhaled the sweet scent of the sun lotion she wore and held her close,"We only have a week, so let's not be sappy now."
"Okay", she laughed.
"I do love you, ya know", he kissed her.
"I know", she said running her fingers through his hair and along his cheek,"I love you too."
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Feb 28, 2013 14:14:50 GMT -5
This story makes my heart ache...it's so perfect.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 28, 2013 19:31:05 GMT -5
Poor Neil and Caroline! It's plain they still love each other! There has to be a way to bring them together once and for all!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 28, 2013 22:13:56 GMT -5
Awe this is such a cute story, Neil and Caroline belong together. No one likes a moody Neil least of all the other lads. I have a Neil story I've posted it in FB because its not quite G rated.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Mar 1, 2013 11:44:50 GMT -5
Caroline checked her mail and extracted a small box,"Wonder what this is", she said to herself as she flipped through the other envelopes. She carried her things upstairs and got a knife to cut through the tape, she moved the flaps and found a note with a smaller box inside, the note was from her former room mate and read,"I found this in some of my things, not sure how. Your mom gave me your new address and I thought I would send it. I miss you loads & hope you'll come for a visit. Love, Marcy
"Miss you to, Marcy," she said opening the smaller box,"Oh my gosh", she lifted the small silver Claddagh ring out,"I thought I lost this." She carefully examined the small green heart and slipped the ring over her finger. She closed her fist as she remembered the day he had given it to her.
The ride to airport was silent as he held her hand tightly. The weather was fitting as angry rain lashed against the windshield. Each mile the car went was another chasm between them. She tried to hide the tears, but knew it was no use. This was the end of her perfect summer in Dublin, Ireland, and her final goodbye to the man who had stolen her heart while she wasn't even paying attention. She was brought back to reality as he pulled to the curb for departures. He climbed out with the umbrella and got her luggage under the over hang and to one of the luggage attendants who waited. She took the time to attempt to straighten herself and not appear as emotional as she felt.
"Ready?", he opened the door holding the umbrella.
"Yeah", she took her purse and carry on as he led her under the over hang,"This is it," she attempted a smile, but was sure it looked more like a grimace.
"It is", he nodded,"I got something for you."
"You didn't have to", she shook her head.
"I wanted too", he said pulling a black box from his pocket,"It's not an engagement ring or anything", he noticed the look on her face,"It's an Irish Claddagh, it means may friendship, love, and loyalty reign forever."
"I've seen them", she nodded, admiring the sparkling green stone and the smooth silver band,"Neil, I can't......"
"Yes you can", he took the ring and slid it over her finger,"If nothing else, to remember that someone here fell in love with you and still loves you."
"Okay", she said gazing at the ring and fighting tears,"I love you, Neil, please don't think this isn't killing me."
"Me too", he said pulling her into his arms for a final kiss. The kiss burned with a fire that wasn't ready to be extinguished and yet couldn't stand up to the force of the winds that were ripping it apart,"I love you, Caroline."
"I love you", she could taste her tears as they mixed against their lips,"Good bye, Neil."
"Good bye", he kissed her forehead before she disappeared behind the sliding doors of the airport.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 1, 2013 13:28:01 GMT -5
Fall...you made me cry at work!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Mar 1, 2013 13:52:58 GMT -5
The California sun spread its rays across the pavement as Neil lounged behind one of the large trucks that carried their stage and lighting equipment. It was one of the few quiet places he could find, the roadies tended to keep to themselves as their work was taxing.
"Hey Neil, got a sec", Ryan said approaching him.
"Guess so", he replied to lifting his sunglasses.
"Well", he began and scratched his head,"I have been appointed by the other lads and well Sharon as well to talk to you."
"Here we go", he said shifting so he was sitting up right,"I am perfectly fine, I have yet to mess up during a show. I have been doing the meet and greets, by force I may add. I have been doing my job, what's the issue?"
"The issue is, you haven't been yourself. As soon as you step off the stage or even before you get on it, you're always off on your own. Your day dreaming, playing guitar, you won't talk to anyone. What happened in Dublin, Neil? All I know is that you and Caroline were seeing each other and then it was over."
"It's none of your business, it was one summer and it's done."
"You won't even say her name, mate", Ryan said crossing his arms,"What ever you and Caroline, and yes I'm saying her name because you won't, what ever you had isn't done. Not by a long shot."
"Finished with the lecture, dad?", Neil stood up.
"Yeah", he shook his head,"I'm done."
They all thought they knew what happened, they thought they understood what he felt, but they didn't. They didn't know what it took for him to even get off the tour bus each day, the energy it took him to last in a meet and greet session for an hour. He climbed onto the bus grabbing his bag and soft guitar case. He didn't know where he was going, but he needed to be alone. He needed to be away from the chaos, even if for just fifteen minutes.
He watched her disappear through the sliding doors of the airport, a cold wind had swept rain into the over hang and the trickles of water didn't register at all. He stepped out into the waterfall and let it consume him before climbing into the car. He cranked the heat as he drove back to the apartment he had been renting during rehearsals. As soon as he walked in, the smell of her invaded his senses. The pictures she had put on the refrigerator, the extra toothbrush in the bathroom.There was so much of her in the little space that was his. It overwhelmed him as he showered and fixed a cup of tea. Is this what love was? A numbing pain that settled into your bones? An ache that caused your heart to race and your breathing to be uneven? If it was, he didn't want it anymore. He didn't want to feel any of it. For a brief and blinding moment, he wished he had never met her. He quickly threw that idea away as he thought of their summer months together. He had never known a brighter light could exist, that the world could be a better place with just the thought of seeing the sparkling emerald eyes. He never knew his heart could be as full as it was when she would fall asleep against him while watching a movie, or how she had taken care of him after a bad night of drinking. He raked his hands across his face as he stared at the photos on the refrigerator,"May as well start here", he got up removing them all, accept for one of the two of them together. He gathered up any memories and taped them up into a box, stowing them away in his guitar case. He could carry them with him, but they would stay sealed until he was ready to look at them again.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 1, 2013 14:59:35 GMT -5
Poor Neil...*sniffs*
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Post by fallingn2ct on Mar 1, 2013 16:03:58 GMT -5
As the sun began to sink behind the clouds, Caroline pulled out her sketch pad. Hues of pinks and purples kissed the golden horizon as the sun made it's descent behind the mountains. She pulled her sweater around her as she sketched. It had been a while since she had done any art aside from the projects she did with her students. She had been in a slump and she felt like she was beginning to emerge on the other side. She stopped as she saw what was coming to life under her hands, it was the mountains and the sunset, but there he was in the thin, cotton like clouds, she had drawn his face. She quickly closed the book and pushed it to the side, she stared down at the ring she wore. When would it end? When would he leave her mind and more importantly her heart? She wanted to feel normal again, to feel whole. She sighed leaning heavily against the chair she sat in, she knew a part of her would always belong to him and that in time she would accept it. But did she want to accept it?,"I miss you", she whispered looking at the ring. She covered her eyes as tears fell silently through her fingers and over the drawing.
Caroline had watched him step out into the down pour and raise his face to the sky. She wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around him and tell him that she was his and that didn't want to leave. But she forced herself to turn away and go through security and customs; she made herself put one foot in front of the other and board the plane. She took her seat and watched out the window as the plane began to taxi away from the terminal. It was then that she let herself truly cry, the river of tears and anguish poured through her as the plane made it's final path down the runway and into the sky. The summer in Dublin was behind her now and so was Neil Byrne.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 1, 2013 17:18:56 GMT -5
I feel so bad for them. But I have a feeling they won't be apart forever...will they?
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